LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY A PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A FOCUSED APPROACH TO A NEW MEMBER DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM

Transcription

1 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY A PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A FOCUSED APPROACH TO A NEW MEMBER DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM A Thesis Project Submitted to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY By Joshua Adam Walters Lynchburg, Virginia April, 2011

2 Copyright 2011 Joshua Adam Walters All rights reserved

3 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS APPROVAL SHEET GRADE Dr. Charlie Davidson MENTOR Dr. David Hirschman READER

4 This thesis is dedicated to: My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who brought me into the light and glory of salvation through His example, sacrifice, death, and resurrection, and showed me the meaning of love. My beautiful wife, Kaci, who loved and encouraged me through this process and gave me the strength to persevere. You are my best friend! My children, Avery and Sam, for allowing daddy the time he needed to research and write. My parents, Tommy and Resa, for raising me in a Christian home and showing me the importance of putting God first in my life, and for being my lifelong proofreaders! The First Baptist Church of Timpson, Texas, who supported me financially, emotionally, and spiritually as I pursued a Doctor of Ministry degree.

5 ABSTRACT A PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A FOCUSED APPROACH TO A NEW MEMBER DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM Josh Walters Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2011 Mentor: Dr. Charlie Davidson The purpose of this project is to reveal the benefits of new member discipleship, for without this process there are many who do not follow through with their commitment to be an active part of that body of believers. This project shall: examine the purpose and history of discipleship, analyze surveyed responses from local pastors and new members, explore the results of new member discipleship in local churches, and conclude with a discipleship plan ready for implementation. This project seeks to show that through new member discipleship, the church can increase the understanding and dedication of their new members. Abstract length: 99 words.

6 CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......iv ABSTRACT.....v CONTENTS....vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND PROPOSAL.1 Statement of the Problem...4 Statement of Limitation...4 Theoretical Basis...5 Statement of Methodology...6 Review of Related Literature...8 CHAPTER TWO: HISTORY OF DISCIPLESHIP...14 Definition of Discipleship...14 Scriptural Discipleship...18 Luke 14: Timothy 4: Matthew 28: Proverbs 22: Examples of Discipleship...27 Jesus the Master...28 Paul the Transformed...30 Moses the Mentor...33 vi

7 CHAPTER THREE: PURPOSE OF DISCIPLESHIP...35 The Old is Gone...35 Scriptural Expectations...39 Intimacy with God...42 The Body of Christ...46 Accountability...49 Fellowship...52 Unity...54 Evangelism...57 Maturity...59 CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF LOCAL CHURCH DISCIPLESHIP...62 Analysis of Pastor/Discipleship Leader Surveys...63 Curriculum...63 Teacher...64 Discipleship History...64 Required...65 Time...65 Length...66 Results...66 Revisions...67 Analysis of New Member Surveys...67 Length of Membership...68 Training Progress...68 Learning Outcome...69 Learning Style...69 vii

8 Required...70 Recommendation...70 Relationships...71 Evaluation...71 CHAPTER FIVE: PLANNING FOR DISCIPLESHIP...73 Content of Discipleship...73 Christian Instruction...77 Congregational Instruction...85 Compass of Discipleship...88 Time and Location...88 Method...89 Process...91 Commitment of Discipleship...92 Communication...95 Role of the Pastor...97 Follow Up Effects and Cost of Discipleship Effects of Discipleship Cost of Discipleship Changing the Focus Motivation Mandatory or Encouraged CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION AND FINAL CHARGE APPENDIX A SURVEY FOR PASTORS/DISCIPLESHIP LEADERS APPENDIX B SURVEY FOR NEW MEMBERS viii

9 APPENDIX C TRAINING MANUAL FOR LEADER APPENDIX D TRAINING MANUAL FOR LEARNER BIBLIOGRAPHY 154 VITA ix

10 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND PROPOSAL On any given Sunday, there are churches all around the world that gather to worship and glorify God. After the pastor stands and proclaims a message from the Lord, he will often extend an invitation to any who would choose to come and accept God s gift of love and salvation. When the Spirit stirs the hearts of the lost, they will then take that long walk down the aisle of the church or meeting place to share their decision with the pastor, and there they will profess their faith in Jesus Christ. The church will roar with thunderous applause and proclaim amen or praise God in excitement as a soul is saved and a new family member welcomed. The pastor will then introduce the babe in Christ or the new member to the congregation and will invite the church members to come and welcome that person into the great family of God. For that new believer, or new member, the hugs and handshakes are almost overwhelming as the congregation surrounds them with love and encouragement. Yet, as the last person comes through the greeting line, and as the pastor steps away to gather his things and leave the building, the new believer or member is left there at the altar, standing all alone, wondering to himself or herself, What do I do now? One of the great tragedies in churches today is the lack of discipleship for new members of the congregation. There is frequently a great and warm response to new believers as they take that step of faith to trust in Jesus, and every member of the church 1

11 and the pastor tell that new believer how proud they are of them and what a great 2 decision that they have made. Yet, the new believer is never shown what it means to be a Christian. They have accepted the love and forgiveness of Christ, and they plan to be baptized, yet they have no idea what it means to follow Christ because they have never been taught. Churches too often mistakenly assume that once a person has received Christ, the sale has been consummated, and it is now up to the new believer to follow through with his commitment. 1 Just as a baby must be taught how to live in the world, new Christians must be taught how to live in Christ. For without this knowledge and training, new believers recurrently become overwhelmed, discouraged, and confused because they have made a decision to embark on an eternal journey however they have no idea where they are going, how they are going to get there, or who is going to help them along the way. It is because of this lack of teaching and training that many new believers simply do not follow through with their public profession of faith in Jesus Christ and their intention to live for Him. The truth is that the church has become good at teaching [and] baptizing, but somehow we are not very good at making disciples as we are going. 2 The process of making disciples is one that has been in the history of the church since the very beginning, yet as generations have passed this practice has somehow become less important. As a result of the lack of new member training that is found in many 1 Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message & Mission (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2002), W. Oscar Thompson Jr., Concentric Circles of Concern (Nashville, Tennessee: B & H Publishers, 1999), 190.

12 Churches today, congregations are filled with people who are documented members of 3 the church but who are not active participants or fruitful servants of the kingdom. There is a generation of church members today whose faith is weak, commitment is frail, understanding is little, and service is non-existent. Some may say that the church is in this condition because it is simply an evolution of society or a sign of the times, and this may be partially true. In this author s opinion, one of the greatest reasons for the falling away of so many new believers, and the great decline of the church which is currently being experienced is because of the irresponsible actions of grounded believers in Christ not fulfilling their great calling to teach new believers how to truly become disciples of Christ. In order to change this attitude and undesirable weakness, the church must realize that it is not only their privilege to train believers, but also their responsibility. 3 New member training is vital to the life of the church and the maturity of new believers because it sets the tone and the level of expectation for the growth of the disciple. The goal of the church should be to have true disciples men, women, boys and girls committed to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and growing daily in their knowledge, love, and service to Him, 4 In order for many members to develop this level of commitment they must first be guided and directed into the process of becoming a true disciple. The process of discipleship should never be seen or even considered an option for the new believer, the church, or the disciple of Christ because it is a scriptural 3 Ken Hemphill, Splash 2: Discipleship (Tigerville, South Carolina: Auxano Press, 2009), x. 4 George Barna, Growing True Disciples (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Waterbrook Press, 2001), 6.

13 mandate. 5 4 Statement of the Problem The goal of this project is to reveal the true definition and purpose of discipleship as it pertains to new believers of the church. By discovering the true power and meaning of discipleship, pastors and churches should be convicted and encouraged to fulfill their calling in training and leading new members so that they may be the believers that God has called them to be: disciples that truly desire to learn to be like Christ. 6 This analysis will show the great need for discipleship that is missing from so many churches today and reveal many of the problems that result from this lack of training, such as a falling away from the study of Jesus teaching and the emphasis of living one s faith through action. 7 Finally, this project will provide a plan for new member training that may be implemented into the local church in order to develop and increase the knowledge, understanding, commitment, and focus of new church members. For All Christians are disciples or scholars of Christ, and the church is His school. 8 Statement of Limitation This project is going to be focused on researching and designing a new member 5 Daryl Eldridge, The Teaching Ministry of the Church (Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman and Holman, 1995), 76. (1998): 8. 6 Dallas Willard, "How to be a Disciple," The Christian Century 115 no Scot McKnight, "Jesus Creed: What is the Focus of Spiritual Life?" The Christian Century (2004). 8 Richard Baxter, Watch Your Walk: Ministering from a Heart of Integrity (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Victor, 2005), 109.

14 5 training program for Southern Baptist churches in East Texas. This is the location of the author s current church and; therefore, this project will not be specifically directed to all denominations, or to Baptist churches located in other states, regions, or conventions. The project will also be utilizing surveyed answers from local churches that currently utilize some form of new member training. The number of churches that incorporate this type of training in East Texas is confined. Therefore, the number of responses may be limited as well as completely subjective. This paper will also attempt to reveal the benefits of training new members, which will include both new believers in Christ as well as new members by transfer of letter. The focus of this report shall not be on the benefits or implementation of a training or discipleship program for current or long-standing members of the church, though the material provided at the end of this project could certainly benefit those members as well. Finally this proposal shall suggest a new member discipleship plan ready for implementation into the local Baptist churches in East Texas. Though the design of this plan is based on solid research and scriptural foundations, there is no guarantee that the application of this program will increase or improve the attendance, understanding, or devotion of those new church members who participate in the training. Theoretical Basis The basis for this project is primarily biblical since this is the standard and guide for all things pursued and accomplished by disciples of Christ. This project will examine several key scriptures that will show the biblically designed purpose and benefit of discipleship and shall investigate the true meaning of the word as it was used and applied through the Bible in both the Old and the New Testament. In addition to specific biblical

15 references to the process of discipleship, this assessment shall also provide an 6 examination of the discipleship process as revealed by several key figures in biblical history including: Moses, Paul, and Jesus Christ. Statement of Methodology In order to show the absolute need and the great advantages that new member discipleship may bring to a church, this assessment shall first attempt to provide the reader with a strong biblical definition of discipleship. This is accomplished first by reviewing the various scriptures that reveal the meaning of discipleship. Through the use of original language tools and commentaries, this analysis shall examine the process of discipleship as modeled and described to believers in God s Holy Word. Once the definition and understanding of discipleship has been established, this study shall then reflect upon that information in conjunction with data and knowledge received from various books, journals, theses, and articles on the purpose of biblical discipleship. This section of the paper shall reveal to the reader why it is that new member training is absolutely essential not only for the new believer, but also for the church and its leadership. After the definition, biblical application, and purpose of discipleship have been established and presented, this proposal shall examine the process of new member training as it is utilized in several local Baptist churches in East Texas. In order to do this, a survey shall be sent to those churches that practice new member training in order to investigate their practices and results. There will be two surveys sent out. One survey shall be sent to the pastors or leaders of the program inquiring as to the nature of the program, details of its inception and application, and the benefits that have been recorded.

16 The other survey shall be sent to new members of those churches who have recently 7 completed or are in the process of completing that particular church s new member training program. This survey shall examine the participant s view of that particular program, their feelings towards the leaders, curriculum, and program s successfulness, as well as any areas in which they would suggest altering the program. The results of these surveys shall be reviewed and presented in this assessment in order to evaluate how these programs are currently succeeding and in what ways improvements need to be made. All of this information will be gathered and studied so that this thesis may provide an implementable plan for new member training. In light of the definition of discipleship and the purpose as seen in scripture, and with the knowledge gained through various books, articles, journals, and theses, this project shall suggest the most effective method for implementing a new member training program in the local East Texas Southern Baptist church. This proposal shall contain what information should be included in the training program as well as how it should be taught and who should be involved in the process of training authentic followers of Christ rather than cultural Christians. 9 This recommendation will focus on the role of the pastor and other leaders within the church, as well as the church s responsibility in the process of leading new believers and members to have the same motivations, attitude, and behaviors as Christ. 10 This project will then review the effects and the cost of discipleship. Throughout Lee Strobel, The Case for Faith (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2000), 10 Ken Heer, Your Next Step: Becoming the Person God Meant You to Be (Indianapolis, Indiana: Wesleyan Publishing House, 2003), 7.

17 8 scripture it is clear that becoming a disciple is not a decision that one should take lightly for the cost is great. In the same way, there will be challenges that churches will face when entering into a new member discipleship program, but the rewards will also come as a result of this step of faithfulness and dedication. This section of the paper shall reveal many of the positive and negative effects that may be experienced by both the church and the new members as they accept God s call to train and be trained. This analysis concludes with a summary of the project and will include several appendices: the surveys to be sent to the pastors and new church members, and copies of the new member training guide for both the leaders and the participants. Review of Related Literature A project such as this would be incomplete without the utilization of insights and works written by so many experienced leaders, pastors, and researchers who have spent years studying the process of discipleship, its definition, purpose, and benefits for the church as well as the new members. Of the sources listed in the bibliography, there were several that were particularly beneficial to the research of this thesis. One text is George Barna s Growing True Disciples. This book reveals the need for change in the church s approach and attitude towards discipleship because instructing and training new believers has been forsaken. Barna states that each church must understand the mandated calling of Scripture to produce disciples by creating a customized plan of discipleship. 11 This plan should not be implemented and then simply remain unchanged. The church must continuously edit 11 Barna, Disciples, 119.

18 and evaluate the program to meet the needs of the congregation and community. Boyd 9 Luter s article, Discipleship and the Church, 12 addresses these same concerns about discipleship. He informs the reader of the definition of discipleship, and reveals that in order for the church to obey and fulfill Christ s Great Commission the congregation must understand and apply each portion of their calling. This includes sharing their faith, baptizing, and then teaching new believers to follow God and lead others into the kingdom. Rick Warren s book The Purpose Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message & Mission also focuses on the role discipleship plays within the body and structure of the church. Warren shows that congregations must seek to bring the lost into their church and into the kingdom by sharing the love of God. The church must then invest time in these new believers, building them up to spiritual maturity by training them and giving them the tools necessary to become devoted disciples of Christ who will not only fulfill the will of God in their own lives, but who will also lead others into the kingdom. 13 Ralph Hodge also addresses the great need for discipleship in his text Taking the Next Step: A Guide for New Church Members. This book shows that in order for a congregation to truly disciple new believers they must place emphasis on building strong relationships with those who have recently joined the fellowship of the church. 14 These relationships will often keep the new believers accountable and involved in active 12 Boyd Luter, "Discipleship and the Church," Bibliotheca Sacra 547 (1980). 13 Warren, Church, Ralph Hodge, Taking the Next Step: A Guide for New Church Members (Nashville, Tennessee: Leadership Adult Publishing, 2007).

19 participation and service while also lessening the likelihood of their falling away. 10 Robert Coleman s book The Master Plan of Evangelism is also beneficial in understanding the purpose and implementation of discipleship. 15 Coleman reveals that believers are responsible for leading others to the saving knowledge of Christ, yet their calling to make disciples does not end at this point; it simply begins. This text reminds the reader of the intimate time that Christ spent with His followers and the methods that He used to teach them about the kingdom and their obligation to obey God and follow His plan. A source which also provides instruction and knowledge about the details of new member training is Membership Matters by Chuck Lawless. 16 This text reveals various facts and statistics about the process of training new believers and church members. These topics include who should teach the course, what material should be covered, and how the course may be formed and organized. In Elmer Towns and Stan Toler s book What Every Pastor Should Know About Sunday School there is also a great amount of information on the process of discipleship training. This text offers several suggestions for choosing the most qualified and effective communicators of the church as teachers for these small group courses so that the students will be stimulated and encouraged. 17 Howard Hendricks also addresses the need for competent teachers in his book Teaching 15 Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Fleming Revell, 2002). 2005). 16 Chuck Lawless, Membership Matters (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 17 Elmer Towns, and Stan Toler, What Every Pastor Should Know about Sunday School (Ventura, California: Regal, 2002), 73.

20 11 to Change Lives. For a teacher to be effective in instructing new believers how to walk with God and grow spiritually, he or she must first be a devoted disciple of Christ. 18 Therefore, the church must look for individuals who are truly following Christ and spending time with Him daily. Without intimacy and devotion, these leaders will not be able to instruct new followers on how to become disciples of Christ. Another insightful source which addresses the topic of discipleship is The Disciple-Making Church by Bill Hull. 19 This text focuses on the process of making disciples as revealed by Jesus Christ. Hull shows that for churches to make disciples, the congregation must obey and understand each aspect of the Great Commission. This includes modeling the practices of Christ as He poured Himself into the lives of His followers while also remaining close to them until they were ready to begin serving the kingdom and making disciples on their own. Hull also authored Jesus Christ Disciplemaker, which reveals the various ways that Jesus led others into the kingdom by loving them unconditionally. 20 Once they accepted His love, He continued to show them how to faithfully live their lives bringing honor to God. Other examples of discipleship were reviewed and studied by utilizing texts such as Life Lessons from Paul by Criswell Freeman and Heather Zempel s Sacred Roads: Exploring the Historic Paths of Discipleship. Freeman s text examines the discipleship 18 Howard Hendricks, Teaching to Change Lives (Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1987), Bill Hull, The Disciple-Making Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Fleming Revell, 1990). 20 Bill Hull, Jesus Christ Disciplemaker (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2009), 133.

21 methods that Paul used as he shared his testimony and life experiences with others while 12 loving them as though they were his own family in the process. 21 Zempel reveals that the process of discipleship is not simply a program that can be universally designed or applied. She shows that in the same way that Moses discipled Joshua based upon who Joshua was and the direction that he was headed in his journey with God, churches must also tailor their discipleship programs to fit the needs of the new believers in which they encounter. 22 Several Scriptures were examined in order to provide a complete study of the process of discipleship as outlined in God s Word. This thesis focuses on four passages: Luke 14:25-33, 1 Tim. 4:1-7, Matt. 28:18-20, and Prov. 22:6. The study of Luke 14:25-33 focuses on the sacrifice and dedication that is required from one who desires to be a disciple of Christ which includes denying his or her desires and forsaking all things for the kingdom of God. An examination of 1 Tim. 4:1-7 reveals the challenges and temptations that new believers will face as they seek to glorify God in this lost and evil world. Matt. 28:18-20 shows that discipleship is not an option for believers in the world today, rather it is a command. A commission from Christ which instructs all Christians to not only spread the gospel of God s love but to also walk beside new believers and instruct them on how to honor God with their lives. Finally, an analysis of Prov. 22:6 shows that for new believers to know the path that leads to intimacy with God, they must be given direction, just as a child must be given instruction when they enter into the 21 Dr. Criswell Freeman, Life Lessons from Paul (Nashville, Tennessee: Freeman-Smith, LLC, 2007), Heather Zempel, Sacred Roads: Exploring the Historic Paths of Discipleship (Nashville, Tennessee: Lifeway Church Resources, 2009), 62.

22 13 world. John MacArthur s The MacArthur Bible Commentary 23 and Warren Wiersbe s The Wiersbe Bible Commentary 24 were both consulted in order to provide insightful exegesis of these texts. Each of these sources, as well as the rest of the entries in the bibliography contributes information which led to the completion and formation of this thesis. Many of the texts and articles were competent in their coverage of material presented. However, they often only investigated a limited area or portion of the subject of discipleship. The goal of this thesis is to compile and examine the information available on discipleship in order to reveal the purpose and necessity of discipleship in the church today, as well as the details relating to the process of implementation and the positive effects which may be experienced. 23 John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville, Tennessee: Nelson Reference & Publishing, 2005). 24 Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary (Colorado Springs, Colorado: David Cook, 2007).

23 CHAPTER TWO HISTORY OF DISCIPLESHIP Definition of Discipleship In order to understand exactly what a word means, it is imperative that one go back to the origin of the word or process in order to see its original meaning and purpose. If a student of the Word wants to know the meaning of a verse or passage of Scripture, he or she must examine the original language as well as the content and historical conditions that influenced the writer and the audience. This process must also be followed in order to determine the true meaning of discipleship. The original biblical texts used the term disciple to refer to someone who is a learner or follower who serves as an apprentice under the tutelage of a master. 1 The Greek word for disciple is µαθητής, which is derived from the Latin term disciplulus meaning learner or pupil. 2 This name or description was given to those whom were the first followers of Christ as He began His ministry upon the earth. He was their teacher or master; they were His disciples. 3 Therefore, a disciple is one who is considered a follower of Christ that desires to learn from Him. This process is referred to 1 Barna, Disciples, Luter, Discipleship, Walter Elwell, ed., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 2001),

24 as discipleship It is imperative to understanding the dynamic meaning of being a disciple for one to grasp the fundamental truth that being a disciple is not simply a onetime event or a limited engagement. To be a disciple is to begin a committed process. 5 From the moment that a person accepts their call from the Lord unto eternal life, he/she also accepts a call to follow Him with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength until the day that God calls him/her home. Discipleship is a progression of faith and works that begins after conversion and continues throughout a believer s life. 6 Becoming a disciple is a process because it is not something that happens overnight. Though the new believer is forgiven and freed from their sins immediately, the process of learning from the Savior is something that takes time and commitment. Due to the fact that many believers are never shown how to become a disciple or exactly what it means to follow the Savior, they are left uneducated, unmotivated, and spiritually immature. Therefore, in the same way that Jesus was proactive in His instruction towards His followers, the church must also have a purposeful program of teaching, fellowship, and accountability 7 in order to show new believers and members how to follow the path of discipleship. The process that is often seen in the lives of believers today as well as those who first followed Jesus, consists of three steps: 4 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York, New York: Collier Books, 1963), Billy Graham, The Journey (Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2006), Hodge, Guide, Towns, Sunday School, 71.

25 deliverance, development, and deployment As the Savior walked the earth, He looked for those who were hurting and were in need of salvation, and He offered them living water so that their spiritual thirst could be quenched forever. When those to whom He ministered, or those He called to follow Him chose to come and believe by their own will, they were delivered. At that point, they were released from their sins and from an eternal separation from God, and yet their journey to becoming a true disciple did not end there; it simply began. Jesus would then walk and live with His disciples, showing them what it meant to accomplish the will of the Father. As the Savior taught and instructed, it is important to recognize the disciple s willingness to submit to His authority and teaching. After one accepts His offer for eternal life and service, He does not force anyone to follow, but those who follow fall under the force 9 of His love and grace. In their willingness to learn and serve, the disciples would continue to develop their theology, faith, and practice and then they would minister and share their faith. Billy Graham states that a disciple experiences three roles through the process of discipleship. They are to be a learner, follower, and a servant. 10 From the original word for disciple, µαθητής, it is understood that the believer is first called to learn from the teacher, and then they will be led to follow His teachings and obey His commands. Therefore, discipleship is the process by which the Christian learns from the Savior, 8 Hull, Church, Scott Spencer, "Follow Me: The Imperious Call of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels," Interpretation 2, no. 59 (April 2005): Graham, Journey,

26 17 follows His teachings and example, and then serves the Master by serving one another. In the church today, believers are still called to be disciples of Christ by following these same steps of progression. Though the Savior is not physically walking with His disciples, they may still learn, follow, and serve through their knowledge gained through the Scriptures and by the prompting of the Spirit. The pattern that Jesus established was for believers to become mature in their faith so that they could then in turn disciple others. Therefore, it is up to the church and the established disciples of the world to make sure that the work of discipleship is still a priority in order to fulfill the will of the Father. George Barna asked several church leaders what discipleship meant to them and to their churches, and he comprised a list of nine characteristics that indicate what it means to be a disciple and what the church s role is in discipleship. These include passion, depth, maturity, practice, process, interactive, multifaceted, lifelong, and Christ like. 11 First, there must be an undeniable passion in the heart of the believer. This passion should be seen as they seek God whole-heartedly, and there must be passion from the church to disciple those who meet the Savior. Barna says there should also be depth and maturity that spurs the disciple to practice what they learn at all costs. Discipleship should be a journey and not a destination, 12 as the believer continuously strives to interact and serve the world and the lost. Becoming a disciple, as shown by the examples of the Savior and the original church, is truly a lifelong process to become like Christ. 11 Barna, Disciples, Ibid, 109.

27 18 Scriptural Discipleship To understand more about the process and purpose of discipleship, one must not only look at the original meaning and context of the word, but also the Scriptures which speak to this radical process. Through a study of key Scriptures in God s Holy Word, it is understood that discipleship is the core of Christian spirituality, 13 and without it the believer will never fulfill the will of the Father. Luke 14:25-33 In the book of Luke, there are three key verses that speak to what it means and what is required for a person to be a disciple of Christ. In Luke 14:26, Jesus says to the crowd, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters yes, even his own life he cannot be my disciple. 14 What Jesus is doing here is informing the crowd that there is a great difference between salvation and discipleship. Salvation is what occurs when a person trusts in Christ for their forgiveness and restoration, however discipleship is the process that new believers enter into once they have made that decision to follow through with their commitment. Jesus uses very harsh words here in order to ensure that there is no misunderstanding about the cost of discipleship. He states that if anyone believes in Him, trusts in Him, and genuinely desires to be a disciple, then they must hate all the members of their family. Truly, hate is not an emotion that Christ would ever suggest to His followers, but 13 Thomas Frederick, "Discipleship and Spirituality from a Christian Perspective," Pastoral Psychology, July, 2008, The Holy Bible, New International Version (Nashville, Tennessee: Cornerstone Bible Publishers, 1999), 923.

28 19 rather He is showing them the level of priority that the Father and the kingdom must have in their life. When He tells the crowd that they must hate their family, He does not suggest positive antagonism but rather to love less, 15 showing that their love for Christ is so much stronger than all other loves they may have in their life. One s love for God should be so far greater than a person s love for anything else that when they are compared, one s love for family is similar to hatred because it is so much less. According to this use of the word disciple, one must understand that following Christ and serving Him as Master is not a simple or easy task at all. In fact it will require the priorities and focus of the believer s life to change from loving the things of the world the most, to loving God first and foremost. The next statement that Jesus reveals about the cost of discipleship is found in Luke 14:27 where He says, And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 16 As Christ came to earth and walked in the flesh as the incarnation of God Almighty, it is evident that He came for a reason and for a purpose, and that was to save the souls of mankind. This was not the plan of the Son, but the plan of the Father. Therefore, He humbled Himself to the Father s will, and was willing to endure and sacrifice all that He had, even His own blood and life, for the purpose and plan of the Father. In this verse Christ is revealing to His followers that if they truly desire to be His disciples, they too must be willing to take up their own cross and follow Him. This would mean that their own desires and plans would no longer be the priority of their lives. It would mean daily identification with Christ in shame, suffering, and 15 Wiersbe, Commentary, NIV.

29 surrender to God s will. 17 In the same way that Christ gave His life on a cross, a 20 believer must also be willing to sacrifice his/her life to the cause of the kingdom and the will of the Father. As Jesus began His ministry, the crowds were numerous and people came by the multitudes to hear Him speak or to watch Him perform miracles, yet most were uncommitted to follow His ways. As He spoke to this crowd, He set the cost of discipleship as high as possible and encouraged them to do a careful inventory before declaring their willingness to follow. 18 The third mention of discipleship is found in Luke 14:33, when Christ states In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. 19 Right before Jesus spoke these words, He spoke two parables to help them think about the cost of discipleship. First He states that when a man decides to build a tower, he must first determine how much the materials will cost so that in the middle of the project he does not run out of money and look foolish because he is unable to finish. Christ then says when a king is about to go to war, he will not first consider how many soldiers he has, and how many soldiers he is about to go to war against in order to determine if he even has a chance at victory, or should he ask for terms of peace. In both of these examples, Christ is revealing to the crowd that following the path of Christ is exactly what man is called to do, but it will not be easy. Therefore, instead of volunteering oneself for this act of service without first understanding what is involved, Christ tells the crowd to spend some time and think about their decision, because unless 17 Wiersbe, Commentary, MacArthur, Commentary, NIV.

30 they are willing to give up absolutely everything in their life for the kingdom, they are 21 not worthy to be His followers. The disciples were called to absolutely and unconditionally surrender themselves to the Father, and could retain no privileges and make no demands. 20 When Jesus began to speak about what it meant to be a disciple, He desired for there to be no false expectance, no illusions, and no bargains, because He needs followers that He can use as stones for building His church, and soldiers for battling His enemies. 21 Persons who have not considered the cost and accepted the challenge are unworthy of this sacrificial honor. In these three verses in which Jesus speaks about what it means to be a disciple, He reveals that discipleship is serious business, and if we are not true disciples, then Jesus cannot build the tower and fight the war. 22 Unless a person is willing to sacrifice their own will for that of the Father, they are not ready to be a disciple. Unless one loves God more than anything else in this world, they will never become spiritually mature. Christ reveals to His people that until believers are willing to give up even their own life for the kingdom, they cannot be a disciple of Christ, for that is the sacrifice that is required by those who choose to serve and follow. 1 Timothy 4:1-7 As Paul writes to Timothy, he begins to warn him of all the ways in which the world might tempt the disciples of Christ to fall away from the truth. He says that some 20 MacArthur, Commentary, Wiersbe, Commentary, Ibid, 187.

31 22 will abandon the faith and follow false religions and deception, and they will pursue their own will instead of that of the Father. So he encourages Timothy to be a good minister of Christ Jesus, and to hold on to the truths he has been taught in Scripture by having nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales, but rather, train yourself to be godly. 23 There are two points that must be understood from this verse that reveal additional aspects of discipleship. First, those who choose to be disciples must know that some of the challenges they will face in this world will be a sea of lies, deceit, and false teachings that try to cover their eyes from knowing the truth of the gospel. Therefore, the disciples of Christ must not only be willing to let go of their earthly pleasures and priorities, as stated by the Savior in Luke, they must also be willing to step forth into battle against the evil forces, which will taunt them and seduce them into falling away from the truth. The only way to be prepared for this is to remember the truths of God s Word, and to train oneself for the journey. The call to discipleship will forever be an ongoing commitment for those who answer the call. 24 In the same way that Paul describes the Christian journey as a race in 1 Cor. 9:24-25, so now Timothy is echoing this analogy. The process of discipleship is an exercise of faith and life that is continuous. Just as a person will train to run a race so that they are prepared and have a chance of victory, disciples must continuously be in training because the race in which they run is an everyday event and the race will not be complete until the 23 1 Tim. 4: Joseph Plevnik, "Your Father in Heaven: Discipleship in Matthew as a Process of Becoming Children of God," Theological Studies, April, 2010.

32 23 disciple takes his/her last breath upon the earth. In order to be a disciple of Christ, one must be prepared to run the race and fight the good fight. The only way a person is able to do so, and expect to be victorious, is if they spend their life training to be godly. This daily commitment involves knowing and trusting the Word of God, spending time alone with the Savior, and faithfully stepping out onto the battlefield, each day trusting not one s own knowledge or ability, but the Spirit and will of God. Matthew 28:18-20 Undoubtedly one of the most well known discipleship verses is found in the book of Matthew. After the resurrection of the Savior, He appeared to His disciples and He gave them this command: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 25 This passage is known as the Great Commission and has within it the key to understanding discipleship and its purpose. 26 Bill Hull states, Disciple making lies at the heart of the Great Commission and exists to create qualified personnel through whom church ministry can reproduce and multiply. 27 When Jesus first began His ministry, He chose twelve disciples to follow Him. Christ s purpose for teaching and training these twelve was so that they then in turn, as mature servants of God, would be able to train and disciple other new believers. This is 25 Matt. 28: Hull, Church, Ibid, 217.

33 God s plan for His disciples: to develop other men and women into disciples! 28 When 24 Jesus gives the command to go and make disciples, He is revealing to the twelve chosen disciples present with Him, and to all believers of the gospel that they are not only to follow Him in all that they do, they are also to lead others to follow His way. 29 It is imperative for the disciple to understand that this is not simply a request from Christ; it is a command. Therefore, discipleship and disciple-making are not an option, they are a clear command from Scripture. 30 When looking closely at this verse, several key phrases must be examined in order to gain further understanding of discipleship. Not only does this verse clearly show that discipleship is mandatory for believers in Christ, it also reveals who is responsible for this call and shows how the believer is to accomplish this great task. Christ simply tells the disciples and the readers of Matthew to Go, and by doing so, He does not limit this command to the disciples or a certain chosen few. This command applies to all believers and followers of God; therefore, no one is exempt. Those who claim to trust in the blood of the Lamb are to go and make disciples, and there is to be no hesitation upon their obedience to this call. Therefore, a disciple is one who has believed on Jesus Christ and expressed this faith by being baptized remains in the fellowship of the believers that he might be taught the truths of the faith [and] is able to go out and win others and teach 28 Hull, Disciplemaker, Coleman, Evangelism, John MacArthur and The Master's Seminary Faculty, Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2005), 270.

34 them In order to go and make disciples, Christ instructs all believers to go into all the nations, baptizing new believers and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 32 Within this verse are two key steps that must be followed in order to become a disciple as well as to go and make disciples. First, a disciple is one who has accepted Christ as Lord and Savior of their life. Therefore, in order to fulfill this command, those who have trusted Him must go to the lost of the world and share with them the good news of salvation, and then lead them through the obedient act of baptism. They are then to teach the new believers what it means to be a follower and servant of the Master so that they will obey His commands and fulfill the Father s will upon the earth. Baptizing and teaching are not the means of making disciples, but they characterize the process of leading and training others to be true disciples. The obedient act of Christian instruction is to be a continuous process, by which disciples lead the lost into the kingdom, baptize them in the Trinity, and then teach them the commands of Christ. 33 Proverbs 22:6 Throughout the New Testament, it is revealed that when a person accepts the call from the Savior, they become a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come! 34 As a result of this new birth (Jn. 3:7, Jam. 1:18, 1 Pet. 1:3), believers become like 31 Wiersbe, Commentary, Matt. 28: Luter, Discipleship, Cor. 5:17.

35 spiritual infants. When Paul addressed the Corinthians in his first letter, he said that he 26 could not address them as spiritual but as worldly mere infants in Christ. 35 Through an event, a condition, or a status, that is initiated by Christ Himself, 36 a person is called into a relationship with the Savior, and at that point, they become a babe in Christ. From that point forward, in the same way that babies are unable to care for themselves without aid, a new believer must be shown how to live for God. Spiritual growth is not an event or occurrence that naturally occurs in the life of the believer; it is a choice made by the disciples of Christ to fulfill their duty to the cross by training those new believers how to become the followers of Jesus that they are meant to be. If new believers are going to grow and mature spiritually and not remain on spiritual milk, as a baby must, they should be trained and taught about service to God from the very beginning of their journey. Proverbs 22:6 states that if you train a child in the way he should go, then when he is old he will not turn from it. 37 One of the great tragedies in the church today is that so many persons claim to be disciples, and they obey the first part of God s Great Commission by sharing the good news and baptizing new believers, yet they fail to follow through by teaching them the ways of God. Therefore, there are spiritual babes filling the churches who have no real commitment to God because they have never been discipled. This proverb reveals that if a child is trained, molded, educated from a young 35 1 Cor. 3:1. 36 Demetrios Trakatellis, "Follow Me: Discipleship and Priesthood," Greek Orthodox Theological Review 30, no. 3 (1985): Prov. 22:6.

36 age, then he will start out life in the way he should go 38 and this instruction will not 27 leave him. In the same way, new believers, babes in Christ, should be shown the right path to follow from the very beginning of their journey so that as the temptations and trials of the world come upon them, they will have a solid foundation on which to stand. Jesus says in Matt. 18:3, I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. When a child is young, they are easily influenced because their minds are clear from the confusion and deception of the world. It is during this stage of their lives that they often develop life-long habits. 39 The reason why discipleship is so important at the very beginning of one s walk with Christ is because the training and education they receive while still spiritual babes will determine the rate at which they grow and mature as believers. Therefore, disciples must know that when they lead a person to the cross of Calvary their journey has only begun with the new believer. They must not simply tell them how to accept Christ; they must educate them on how to live for Him as well. If this crucial step in the discipleship process is overlooked or forsaken, then the growth of the new believer will be directly affected. Examples of Discipleship When considering the purpose, meaning, and history of discipleship, it is beneficial to observe this practice as recorded in Scripture. This analysis will review three specific persons in the Bible who modeled God s plan for discipleship. The results 38 Kenneth Barker, and John Kohlenberger III, The Expositor's Bible Commentary: New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1994), MacArthur, Commentary, 719.

37 of their dedication to training others are undeniable. 28 Jesus the Master As discussed earlier, the term disciple was given to those whom followed and served the Master. Truly He is not only the perfect example of a life lived to please God; He also provides believers with the greatest example of how to disciple others that is recorded in Scripture. When Christ began His public ministry He recruited twelve men to follow Him, and then He spent the remainder of His time on earth pouring into them the key lessons required to understand life. 40 Jesus was known as the Master Teacher, and His method of instruction was simply to call the disciples and have them follow Him as He ministered to the world. These simple two words, Follow me (Matt. 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 19:21; Mark 1:17; 2:14; John 1:43; 21:19), were His great invitation to the disciples to enroll themselves in the Master s school where their understanding could be enlarged and their faith established. 41 The apostles provide a great example of Jesus teaching method in that Jesus invited them to follow Him, and they learned from His words and deeds, and grew through the practical hands-on training He facilitated. 42 There is such a great contrast between the teaching methods of those considered to be educated and respected such as the scribes and Pharisees of the day compared to the teaching methods of the Savior. Christ s method was naturally informal, while the scribes procedures were very formal 40 Barna, Disciples, Coleman, Evangelism, Barna, Disciples, 17.